Privatizing schools bothers lawmakers

Thursday, March 29, 2001 | 10:49 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Assemblyman Wendell has accused Clark County School Superintendent Carlos Garcia of "arrogance" and skirting a state law in his efforts to hire Edison Schools.

Williams, D-Las Vegas, said he has asked Garcia for information about the proposed contract with Edison Schools but has never received a reply.

"We want our questions answered by the Clark County superintendent and the School Board," said Williams during a meeting Wednesday of the Assembly Education Committee, which he chairs.

Williams said Garcia showed a "blatant disregard" for the committee by failing to show up and answer questions.

The criticism cropped up during discussion on Assembly Bill 351, which would require the Legislature to approve any contracts between a school district and a private company. The bill was approved unanimously by the committee.

Rose McKinney James, a lobbyist for the school district, said there is only a contract "in concept" and a number of conditions must be met, such as requiring Edison to raise $1.5 million in private funds to spend at each school. The contract for the pilot project calls for Edison to receive the same per-pupil amount that public schools receive.

Kathy Hamel, a representative of Edison, said, "If the students don't do better, we can cancel the contract." But she said her company has "never had a contract canceled because of student performance."

Edison runs schools in more than 20 states. In other states, she said, the company "turned around low-performing schools."

Hamel suggested that 100 percent of the parents who attended meetings about the school are excited that Edison is taking over, but Williams said there were no meetings in his district.

Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, D-Sparks, said if all the schools had an extra hour of classes, which Edison plans, and an extra $1 million, their performance would be raised. She said this "could end up furthering the gap between the haves and the have-nots."

The for-profit status of the company also upset legislators.

"This company is out to make money, not to educate the children," Williams complained. "What if they decide to make more profits?"

Assemblyman Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas asked, "What type of cuts will they make?"

Williams said the 1997 school improvement law did not envision private companies coming in to run at-risk schools.